by Brianna Barker Caza, Naomi Rothman, Jamie R. Strassman, and Brittany Lambert
Summary.
Career inflection points are moments of potential change and transition that often evoke feelings of ambivalence: the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotions about something. Whether prompted by sudden, external triggers (e.g., promotion opportunity or job loss) or creeping stressors that reach a tipping point, career inflection points are opportunities to reevaluate not only career decisions, but also ourselves. The studies the authors have conducted on careers, identity, and ambivalence, along with the work of other scholars, have led them to conclude that you can harness ambivalence at career inflection points to craft a more authentic and fulfilling career. Here, they discuss the effects of ambivalence — and how to use yours to your advantage.
The pandemic, economic uncertainty, and recent layoffs have brought many people to career — and thus, identity — inflection points: life’s “what now?” or “fork-in-the-road” moments when people must decide where to go, what to do next, and who to become.
Career inflection points are moments of potential change and transition that often evoke feelings of ambivalence: the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotions about something. Inflection points bring personal and professional “selves” to the fore, surfacing tensions between these selves and conflicting goals, which growing scholarship shows increase our ambivalence.
Although ambivalence may be somewhat uncomfortable, often provoking feelings of being torn, conflicted, and mixed, it can actually be good for decision making, particularly when problems are complex. Studies have shown that ambivalence can increase creativity, advice seeking, and job search activities, and may even reduce commitment toward failed courses of action.
The studies we’ve conducted on careers, identity, and ambivalence, along with the work of other scholars, have led us to conclude that you can harness ambivalence at career inflection points to craft a more authentic and fulfilling career. Here, we’ll discuss the effects of ambivalence — and how to use yours to your advantage.
